Something to think about with 'RF' grounding (or safety grounding) and water pipes/fences/etc. Are those routes to ground common with your neighbors? I have doubts about the water pipes, but I also wouldn't bet on it. Fences, I unfortunately do know about, and wouldn't advise using them. Not just RF grounding, but safety grounding also. Then again, if you are going to be 'blessed' with some lightning, why shouldn't you share your 'blessings' with your neighbors?Ever see a ground line connected to a PVC water pipe? I have. Somebody must'a wanted to get finished really quickly, you know? - 'Doc

Most of the hits with smaller towers or no towers are to the power mains. The power line surge comes through the mains and through the station grounding system as a termination. Everyone shares the power mains, CATV, and Telco and does not worry one bit.

In the event it does strike a tower or Ham antenna directly, there wouldn't be much left anyway that would be there through other paths unless it was an ungrounded overhead conductor.

The biggest issue is making sure everything comes up together at the same rate. It isn't even earth that has the largest safety contribution.

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